Throughout the world, women are consistently underrepresented in leadership positions at the local level, even in countries with high numbers of women in national office. This report explores the context for women in local executive offices, and the unique challenges and opportunities they face in their positions. In this research, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) evaluated initial programming targeting women mayors and mayoral candidates, and conducted interviews with current and former mayors.

NDI conducted a study to better understand how women within NDI’s programming interact with digital technology and the particular challenges they face with regard to access, comfort and competencies. For this study, digital technology has been defined as encompassing computers, the Internet, e-mail, standard mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and social media applications.